DP members’ attacks on Park anger Saenuri

The ruling Saenuri Party assailed two opposition lawmakers Monday for defying the result of last year’s presidential election and personally condemning President Park Geun-hye.

The party decided to put up Democratic Party Rep. Jang Ha-na for review by the parliamentary ethics committee and discussed whether to push for her expulsion from the National Assembly.

The first-term proportional representative lawmaker on Sunday demanded Park’s resignation, saying that she clearly benefited from illegal actions by state organizations.

She also said that a new presidential election should be held on June 4 along with the provincial elections.

“If no clear actions are taken and an unclear stance is continued, it can only be interpreted as (the DP) having a hidden intention of incapacitating the president,” said Saenuri floor leader Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan.

“(The DP) should expel Jang from the party or the parliament and offer a formal apology from the party chairman. We, the Saenuri Party, will put up Jang to the ethics committee and take steps to penalize her at the level of the National Assembly.”

Since the Dec. 19 election, government bodies including the National Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs have been accused of meddling in the election.

The DP issued a statement saying that Jang’s comments went against the party’s official position and that it intended to implement preventive measures.

DP supreme council member Rep. Yang Seoung-jo added fuel to the fire on Monday, saying that the president could follow in the footsteps of her assassinated father President Park Chung-hee.

The elder Park was assassinated in 1979 by Kim Jae-gyu, the chief of Korea Central Intelligence Agency, which has since become the National Intelligence Service.

Saying that Park Chung-hee could not have foreseen being assassinated by “weapons he forged,” Yang called on President Park Geun-hye to “heed the public’s warning” that she could follow in his footsteps.

The ruling party immediately hit back calling for the DP to clarify its position and for Yang to resign.

“The DP crossing the line is a common occurrence, but Yang’s comment is an insult to the people and to the commander in chief,” Saenuri floor spokesman Rep. Kim Tae-heum said.

“The DP should reveal its intentions clearly to the public. Yang should immediately apologize to the public and the president, and resign from his parliamentary seat.” 


By Choi He-suk
(cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)